PowerCrank questions (1)

Triathlon Forum
1

I know all of this has been discussed over and over but I’m looking for current answers and opininions.

  1. How many of you users have seen significant improvement in both your bike and run? I’m looking mostly for improvements by elites or top age groupers beyond what would have been obtained by normal training methods.

  2. Are they fairly easy to install and remove yourself?

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  1. Potential PowerCrank buyers are always looking for some type of definitive proof that they are not wasting their $800 or so investment on something that does not turn them into Superman. Unfortunately, I don’t think that is very realistic. I have been riding on them for nearly two years now and believe in them enough to buy a custom set of 190mm lighter weight cranks and used them in races. However, it is really hard to come up with comparative data because of the nature of the tool and the difficulty of isolating training stimuli.

But here is my two cents. Powercranks develop muscles that would not normally do any work in the cycling stroke. Over time I have noticed the development of these (lifting) muscles to the point where they are certainly contributing. At racing rpm they probably don’t provide a lot of forward propulsion themselves, but work hard enough to allow your upgoing leg to get out of the way of you downgoing leg, thus allowing all the pushing power to go to forward propulsion. Basically PowerCranks spread the work around to more muscles. Are they going to turn a MOPer into a FOPer? Probably not. But if it can give you and extra 10 or 20 watts on the bike and then allow you to run faster off the bike, then it might be worth it to some people.

Prepare to work hard and hurt for a long time though. The adaptation is humbling and painful until you turn your lifting muscles into aerobic workers.

  1. If you are very comfortable working on your own bike then they should not be a problem. Frank has simplified the design somewhat in the Model 4 and I like it better than the Model 3. I have had issues with the cranks loosening at various times, but have not had any problems in the last nine months and I put a lot of mile on them during that time.

Chad

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I agree completely with the previous post. I have had dozens of clients use Powercranks with 100% positive results. Every athlete I have tested improved wattage at lactate threshold with two easy rides on Powercranks substitued for two easy rides ojn normal cranks. If you expect to develop better neuromuscular cordination and muscular endurance, and ride a little faster on race day, you will. If you expect them to magically make you 2 mph faster, you will be disappointed. Ken